For Raducanu<\/a>, the decision looks to have already paid off, as she defeated Jaqueline Cristian in the first round, although her fellow Brits might not view things the same.<\/p>\n The 2021 US Open<\/a> champion went undefeated at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals 12 months ago, and she will be a big miss for a nation looking to pick up their maiden title.<\/p>\n Reacting to the news, Great Britain\u2019s Billie Jean King Cup<\/a> captain, Anne Keothavong, has shared her thoughts.<\/p>\n Anna Keothavong admits it was \u2018disappointing\u2019 to see Emma Raducanu drop out<\/p>\n During Team GB\u2019s pre-tournament press conference, Keothavong had this to say about Raducanu\u2019s withdrawal.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, obviously just disappointing not to have your top player here,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut look, as I\u2019ve said before, we\u2019re here and we\u2019re ready to go tomorrow. The players I\u2019ve got here are well-prepared and excited about the challenge of taking on Japan tomorrow.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a competition that means a lot to all of us and one that we really want to do well together as a team. Look, I\u2019m feeling confident as captain with the players I have here.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, just really excited to get going.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite Raducanu\u2019s absence, Keothavong will still have three top-100 players at her disposal in Shenzhen.<\/p>\n PlayerWTA RankBillie Jean King Cup recordKatie Boulter5513-6Francesca Jones73\u2013Sonay Kartal822-0Jodie Burrage1490-1Team GB at the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Finals<\/p>\n British number two Katie Boulter<\/a>, the most experienced member of the team, believes they have a strong chance, even without Raducanu.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u00a0feel like each and every one of us has the heart and has a lot of fight for our country. I think that just comes naturally, too. I think we showed it at the start of the year,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifying round (April 2025)Great Britain defeated Germany (2-1)Great Britain defeated the Netherlands (2-1)<\/p>\n \u201cSonay [Kartal] making her debut, which was pretty incredible, just stepping up for her country multiple times. It\u2019s not easy to do. It looked very easy for her. I can assure you it\u2019s not. Obviously, Jodie [Burrage] and I getting our first win together for the country.<\/p>\n \u201cReally pleased to have everyone here. Of course, Fran [Jones] joining the team as well, really enjoying her company so far. I\u2019m sure we\u2019re going to bring a lot of fight in the next couple of ties.\u201d<\/p>\n Great Britain will hope to begin their Billie Jean King Cup campaign with a big win against Japan, but what\u2019s next for Raducanu over in Korea?<\/p>\n Emma Raducanu edges closer to Iga Swiatek clash in Seoul<\/p>\n Raducanu was given a nightmare draw in Korea, placed in the same section as the world number two, Iga Swiatek<\/a>.<\/p>\n The pair could face off in the quarterfinals, in what would be their sixth career meeting.<\/p>\n MatchWinnerLoserScore2025 French Open \u2013 2RIga SwiatekEmma Raducanu6-1, 6-22025 Australian Open \u2013 3RIga SwiatekEmma Raducanu6-1, 6-02024 Stutgart \u2013 QFIga SwiatekEmma Raducanu7-6, 6-32023 Indian Wells \u2013 4RIga SwiatekEmma Raducanu6-3, 6-12024 Stuttgart \u2013 QFIga SwiatekEmma Raducanu6-4, 6-4Emma Raducanu and Iga Swiatek\u2019s head-to-head record<\/p>\n Raducanu has yet to beat Swiatek on the WTA Tour and has won just four games against the Pole across their last two matches.<\/p>\n She\u2019d love a chance to produce a better performance in Seoul, but won\u2019t want to get too far ahead of herself.<\/p>\n![\"Emma](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2235906106-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Han Myung-Gu\/Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Anne](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2235320100-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Zhizhao Wu\/Getty Images for LTA<\/p>\n
![\"Barbora](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2232526262-1024x642.jpg\")
Photo by Robert Prange\/Getty Images<\/p>\n